“Jolly proving a hard piece to place in puzzle”
Michael Gleeson - The Age
“DARREN Jolly and Luke Ball arrived at Collingwood as the final pieces in the premiership jigsaw. They were the pieces that had been hidden under the couch, leaving the side unable to complete the premiership picture.”
“Magpies too predictable, says skipper”
Jake Niall - The Age
“COLLINGWOOD will adopt a more attacking and less predictable mindset than it did against the Hawks, seeking to emulate the final quarter of its preliminary final in the grand final, according to skipper Nick Maxwell.”
“Fasolo backed for big stage”
Craig O’Donoghue, Perth - The Age
“Collingwood premiership forward Craig Starcevich says Alex Fasolo would thrive on the big occasion of a grand final and would be a good selection for the Pies this week.”
“Pies say Reid likely, but Jolly under cloud”
Michael Gleeson - The Age
“COLLINGWOOD remains as much hopeful as expectant that ruckman Darren Jolly will yet be fit enough to play in this week's grand final.”
“It's grand finale day for emotional Magpie coach”
Jesse Hogan - The Age
“MICK Malthouse is adamant Saturday's grand final - barring another draw - will be his 664th and final match as a senior coach”
“Pies favourites, form says Cats by a whisker”
Rohan Connolly - The Age
“TAB Sportsbet opened up head-to-head betting for Saturday with Collingwood a $1.80 favourite, Geelong at $2. Those prices seem to pay more regard to reputation than to recent events - and perhaps weight of money from the Collingwood faithful.”
“Malthouse believes in sticking to his defensive guns”
Jon Pierik - The Age
“MICK Malthouse says it has taken great ''courage'' to persist with his defence-oriented coaching and believes the Magpies would not have won last year's premiership had they adopted Geelong's offensive model.”
“Greatest rivals of the era lock horns in an epic showdown”
Rohan Connolly - The Age
“There are fights, and then there are epic gladiatorial contests. Saturday's grand final between Collingwood and Geelong definitely falls into the latter category, the football equivalent of Ali v Frazier.”
“Mick Malthouse, Simon Prestigiacomo's honesty plea for hurt Magpies Darren Jolly and Ben Reid”
Sam Edmund - Herald Sun
“FORMER Collingwood full-back Simon Prestigiacomo says injured pair Darren Jolly and Ben Reid face one of the toughest decisions of their lives this week.”
“When footy came calling Scott Pendlebury”
Jay Clark - Herald Sun
“Before that turning point, Pendlebury, then 17, had played only three games of school footy in about four years. But after pleading his way into a Gippsland Power trial game in February, the enormity of his life-changing call hit him.”
“Mick Malthouse adament his career as a head coach is over”
Sam Edmund - Herald Sun
“COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse has slammed the door on coaching another club.”
“Jarryd Blair: Mick Malthouse's tears will drive Collingwood”
Matt Windley - Herald Sun
“JARRYD Blair says Mick Malthouse's display of emotion after the final siren on Friday night will provide motivation for Collingwood players in Saturday's Grand Final against Geelong.”
“Dynasty beckons for Collingwood or Geelong”
Jon Ralph - Herald Sun
“Premiership number four would take Malthouse level with many of the masters of coaching, including arch-rival Kevin Sheedy, Leigh Matthews, Allan Jeans, Ron Barassi, Tom Hafey and David Parkin.”
“Collingwood must return to scavenging best”
Mark Stevens - Herald Sun
“But something went horribly amiss against Geelong in Round 24 and the Magpies have not got their mojo back. Collingwood has not won the "time in forward half" in its past three matches.”
“Geelong times its run towards flag”
Michael Auciello - Geelong Advertiser
“COLLINGWOOD and Geelong have survived the best part of the marathon and are into the home straight.”
